Disseminated cryptococcosis with multiple and mediastinal lymph node enlargement and lung involvement in an immunocompetent child

Abstract

Background: Disseminated cryptococcosis is less common in individuals with normal immune function. Most cases occur in HIV-infected people. Usually it affects the lungs, followed by the central nervous system (CNS), skin and bone marrow, but rarely to the lymph nodes and chest wall.

Case presentation: This article reports a case of cryptococcal infection diagnosed as "lymphoma?" in a local hospital. It was characterized by chronic fever, weight loss, neck, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes enlargement, mediastinal and parabronchial lymphadenopathy, multiple nodular high-density images of both lungs, multi-serosal effusion, liver enlargement and other presentations.

Conclusions: Disseminated cryptococcosis can occur in immunocompromised children without HIV infection. This case of multiple and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, easily misdiagnosed as "lymphoma", requires high clinical suspicion and early initiation of treatment to effectively identify and treat patients.

Keywords: Disseminated cryptococcosis; child; multiple lymphadenopathy.